On 7 July 2017, the Granada International Festival of Music and Dance presented Symphonic Ríos, one of Miguel Ríos’s most celebrated projects, at the Palace of Charles V in the Alhambra. The concert brought together the legendary Spanish rock artist, the Black Betty Boys and the Orquesta Ciudad de Granada, conducted by Josep Pons.
Symphonic Ríos reimagined Miguel Ríos’s best-known songs through symphonic arrangements that expanded their musical dimension while preserving the energy and character of the original versions. The programme demonstrated the natural dialogue between rock and the symphony orchestra, highlighting the enduring artistic value of a repertoire that has become part of Spain’s musical heritage.
The collaboration between Miguel Ríos and Josep Pons continued a successful artistic partnership established through the Symphonic Ríos project, widely regarded as one of Spain’s landmark collaborations between rock and classical music. Presented within the Granada Festival, the concert also celebrated the close relationship between the artist, his hometown and one of the country’s leading cultural institutions.